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WATCH: There are more allegations of sexual assault within the Canadian Forces. Edmonton-based Lt.-Col. Mason Stalker, a senior member of the Forces, is charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation involving cadets. Those are all young people he mentored while a member of the local army cadet group. Jacques Bourbeau reports.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mason Stalker, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, has been charged with several counts of sexual assault and other offences.

According to a press release from the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service has charged Stalker, 40, with a total of 10 sex-related offences. These include:

Three counts of sexual assault

Four counts of sexual exploitation

One count of sexual interference

One count of invitation to sexual touching

One count of breach of trust by a public officer

The offences are alleged to have occurred from 1998 to 2007 in Edmonton, while Stalker was involved as a mentor with a local army cadet corps.

“A victim came forward to us in April of this year,” said Francis Bolduc, Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service. “He came forward with information and we initiated an investigation that resulted in charges.”

“These are serious and significant charges under the Criminal Code of Canada,” said Bolduc,

“Regardless of a member’s rank and role in the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service works diligently and independently from the Canadian Armed Forces chain of command to protect individuals from those who violate the law.”

Stalker has been suspended from his command assignment until the matter is dealt with in court.

“As stated by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, these are serious charges under the Criminal Code of Canada,” said General Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, in a statement. “However, I cannot comment on this specific case, given all Canadians should be afforded due process.